Low cost robots used for practical assignments in programming modules

This paper describes how small, low-cost robots can be used in practical assignments in different programming modules, both for high- and low level programming, and both at undergraduate as well as graduate level. The constructed robots described here are designed to have a diverse use in different type of exercises. The design utilises both an ARM processor used for running a Java virtual machine and an FPGA development board giving the student the ability to develop both high level code and hardware. An additional challenge in engineering education is the distinct change in student population and attitude over the last few years and it is becoming an increasing challenge to keep the students motivated and voluntarily complete the assignments and get them engaged with the lab work. With the presented robot system we facilitate the use of designing increasing difficult tasks to keep individual students challenged trough the whole assignment. The robots has been tested on student groups with good results both in its ability to function as a laboratory tool and in its ability to engage the students.